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Ministry of Housing and Social Development


Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB)

Resources

This page contains links to publications, legislation, educational videos and signs broken down by category. Please click on the specific category below to view its contents:


Policy Manuals
Policies guide the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch’s interpretation of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and its Regulations. Separate policy manuals are available on licensing, compliance and enforcement, and special occasion licensing.

  • Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual – Desk Reference (LCLB206)
    This manual provides direction to liquor inspectors and regional managers as they carry out their compliance and enforcement duties. It contains an overview of the program, key concepts, compliance strategies, as well as information on identifying contraventions and taking enforcement.
  • Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual – Field Reference (LCLB205)
    This manual is intended as a quick reference for inspectors when they are away from the office.
  • Licensing Policy Manual (LCLB207)
    This manual provides direction to Liquor Control and Licensing Branch staff on licensing matters related to liquor-primary establishments and liquor-primary clubs, food-primary establishments, wineries, and licensee retail stores.
  • Special Occasion Licence Policy Manual (LCLB208)
    This manual provides information on special occasion licences and is written primarily for Liquor Control and Licensing Branch and Liquor Distribution Branch staff, police, local governments, rural agency store staff, and local Committee(s) to Approve Public Events (CAPE).
  • Miscellaneous Policy Manual (LCLB209)
    This manual deals with policies that aren’t specific to licensing or compliance and enforcement such as: non-beverage alcohol, grain alcohol, liquor delivery services, unlicensed sale of liquor via the internet, providing liquor to guests of isolated sports and recreation lodges, non-profit liquor clubs.

Policy Directives — 2009 & 2008
The branch also issues policy directives whenever new policies are approved.

Due to occasional administration delays, some text changes to manuals may not have yet been updated.

2009 Policy Directives

Date of Issue Policy Directive Title or Subject
Oct 28, 2009 09-05 Use of handcuff restraints by doorpersons in licenced establishments prohibited
Oct 1, 2009 09-01
Amended		 Amendment to Policy Directive 09-01, dated February 2, 2009 - Regulations implementing the temporary Olympic/Paralympic licence
Oct 1, 2009 09-04
Amended		 Amendment to Policy Directive 09-04, dated April 17, 2009 – Temporary exemption from tied house and inducement provisions of the Act for O/P licensees and food and liquor primary licensees when under contract with an organization eligible for an O/P licence; sponsorship requirements; temporary option for liquor primary licensees to admit minors when under contract with an organization eligible for an O/P licence; hours of service
Apr 17, 2009 09-04 Temporary exemptions from the tied house and inducement provisions of the Act for Olympic/Paralympic and food and liquor primary licensees when under contract with an organization eligible for an Olympic/Paralympic licence
Apr 6, 2009 09-03 Explanation of BC server training requirements for servers relocating to BC from other Canadian jurisdictions under TILMA and AIT
Mar 3, 2009 09-02 Amendment to regulation to allow off premises sales at brew pubs
Feb 2, 2009 09-01 Explanation of regulations regarding the implementation of the temporary Olympic/Paralympic licence for the 2010 Olympics/Paralympics to be held in Vancouver, BC.

2008 Policy Directives

Date of Issue Policy Directive Title or Subject
Nov 25, 2008 08-09 This policy directive expands Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) pilot program (see Directive 08-02 below) permitting minors in liquor-primary or liquor-primary club establishments located in a curling club to include liquor-primary establishments located in golf course facilities, recreation centres and stadiums.
Nov 4, 2008 08-08 This policy directive advises the use of customized terms and conditions as tools to increase safety, promote compliance, and prevent violence in and around licensed establishments.
Sept 23, 2008 08-07 This policy directive announces that government has approved a temporary retail liquor store appointment in support of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Sept 23, 2008 08-06 This policy directive is a revision of LCLB policies regarding performances by exotic dancers and other adult-oriented performers
Jun 12, 2008 08-05 This policy directive amends LCLB policies concerning the documentation and fees required for changes to table officers and resident managers in non-profit fraternal societies holding LP club licences.
Mar 17, 2008 08-04 This policy directive introduces changes to tobacco regulations to prohibit smoking in all indoor public spaces and workplaces.  Smoking will no longer be allowed in licensed establishments once the new regulations come into force on March 31, 2008.
This Directive repeals Policy Directive 02-02
Feb 25, 2008 08-03 This policy directive announces new Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) policies regarding dormant liquor-primary establishments with a licensee retail store and clarifies policies concerning approval periods for liquor-primary applications.
Feb 19, 2008 08-02 This policy directive amends Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) policies concerning minors in liquor-primary establishments located in a curling rink and the application process and fee to permit minors into liquor-primary clubs and liquor-primary establishments at recreation centres during banquets and award ceremonies
Jan 14, 2008 08-01 Enhanced Fit and Proper Suitability Review Process
This Directive replaces Policy Directive 05-05

Educational Videos
This section contains links to video presentations for liquor-primary and food-primary licensees on the operation of your establishment. You may save either of these videos to your computer or view them from this website.

(Streaming video & download links)


Links to Legislation
This section contains links to liquor laws and regulations in British Columbia.


BC Liquor Law Summary
This section has a summary of BC’s liquor laws in French and English


Signs
This section contains links to pdf versions of ‘2 pieces of ID required’ signs for different types of establishments, and the ‘Notice to Customers’ sign for UBrew/UVin establishments.


Local Government/First Nations
This section contains information about the role of local governments and First Nations in the licensing process.